2021 Global Dialog: Just Transition and Recovery for Colorado

Video URL:

A discussion on Just Transition and Recovery for Colorado hosted by Inside the Greenhouse as part of the 2021 Solve Climate by 2030 Global Dialogues.

Speakers:

Governor Jared Polis • Governor of Colorado

Governor Jared Polis is an entrepreneur, education leader, and public servant. After launching several successful companies, Governor Polis committed himself to making sure other Coloradans had the opportunity to pursue their dreams through founding schools for at-risk students and new immigrants and started nonprofits to help veterans. Prior to serving as Governor, Polis served on the State Board of Education and represented Colorado's 2nd Congressional district.

Will Toor • Executive Director of The Colorado Energy Office

In 2019, Will Toor joined the Colorado Energy Office as Executive Director appointed by Governor Polis. Previously, Will was Transportation Program Director at SWEEP, Boulder County Commissioner, Mayor of Boulder, chair of the Denver Regional Council of Governments and Director of the University of Colorado Environmental Center and served on the Air Quality Control Commission and the state oil and gas taskforce. Will holds a BS in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago.

Stephanie A. Malin • Associate Professor of Sociology at Colorado State University and Adjunct Professor with the Colorado School of Public Health

Stephanie A. Malin, Ph.D. is an environmental sociologist specializing in natural resource sociology, governance, and rural development, with a focus on the community impacts of resource extraction and energy production. Her main interests include environmental justice, environmental health, social movements, and the socio- environmental effects of market-based economies. She also co-founded and co-directs the Center for Environmental Justice at CSU. Stephanie has authored a forthcoming book, Changing it All: Using Environmental Sociology to Build Something Better, as well as The Price of Nuclear Power: Uranium Communities and Environmental Justice.

Lizeth Chacon • Executive Director of the Colorado People's Alliance

In the fall of 2014, Lizeth became the Executive Director of Rights for All People and in 2015 she led the union of Rights for All People and Colorado Progressive Coalition to create Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA). In 2016, Lizeth co-chaired the statewide ballot measure that successfully increased Colorado’s minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020 and she co-created the Statewide Immigrant Resistance Table. Lizeth continues to lead collaborative efforts on climate, economic, immigrant and racial justice issues. Lizeth is the Founding Executive Director of Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA) and is currently on the Board of Directors of People’s Action.